The holidays are near, and it is this time of year that usually limits the amount of new television programs airing on the major networks. So, what do we do when our DVR isn’t as full as it usually is? We watch the oldies, but goodies.
This week, Amber West and I discuss our favorite daytime reruns that we enjoy watching while we clean house, fold laundry, and bake treats for our sweets – Charmed and a Law & Order.
Aaron Spelling produced many hit television series during his lifetime – Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, and the original Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place to just name a few. That’s why when Charmed premiered, this TV addict was immediately on board. And when I learned the show was about witches? Major bonus.
Charmed begins as the Halliwell sisters reunite in San Francisco for their grandmother’s funeral and soon discover that they come from a long line of female witches. After the youngest sister reads the family’s Book of Shadows (a book containing the spells and magic from their ancestors), she believes that she and her sisters are supposed to be the most powerful witches of all time.
One by one, the sisters learn they each possess a unique magical power, and they are quickly thrust into the line of fire when their first demon attacks. Unsure of how to defeat the demon, the sisters join hands and repeat a passage from the Book of Shadows, “The Power of Three will set us free.”
And that it did, for eight seasons. Of course, The Power of Three chant wasn’t always the spell needed to defeat the bad guy, but ultimately, Charmed was all about The Power of Three. Over the years, we watched the sisters learn the ins and outs of their magical heritage, hone their individual powers, and most importantly, protect the world from The Source (the “source” of all evil) and other demons and warlocks.
The oldest of the sisters, Prue Halliwell (Shannon Doherty), works as an art appraiser and photographer. She has always felt responsible for her sisters, due to their mother’s death when they were young. At the beginning of the series, Prue shares a rocky relationship with her youngest sister, one they must work through quickly in order to survive.
Prue’s power? Telekinesis – she can move things with her mind, meaning she can throw the bad guy against the wall, through the wall, whatever – perhaps the best power of all the sisters. Prior to her death (sorry for the spoiler), Prue also inherits the ability to teleport, a skill that proves life saving on multiple occasions.
Middle sister Piper Halliwell (Holly Marie Combs) works as an aspiring chef and buffer to her sisters arguing. Piper is a romantic always looking for love. Actually, her boyfriend in the pilot is the warlock attempting to kill the sisters. After Piper recovers from that failed relationship, and a few others, she meets the man of her dreams and future husband – Leo Wyatt (Brian Krause).
Leo is also the sister’s Whitelighter, their guardian angel who can “orb” (move magically through space) them out of trouble.
Piper’s power? She can freeze time and people. Eventually her power evolves and she has the ability to blow things up, which comes in very handy when facing a demon.
The youngest of the three original sisters (explanation to come), Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano) is nothing like her sisters. Where Prue and Piper are both professionally driven, Phoebe has no idea what she wants to do with her life; however, after putting herself through college, Phoebe decides to go to work as a reporter for the local paper.
Also a romantic, Phoebe eventually marries a demon (Balthazar/Cole Turner played by Julian McMahon) and later Coop (a Cupid played by Victor Webster).
Phoebe’s power? Premonition – she can see things in the past, as well as in the future. Her powers intensify and she develops the ability to levitate, which she uses to learn and master martial arts in order to kick demon butt. She also later develops the power of empathy, which she can use to mimic another’s powers or sense exactly what they feel.
After Prue’s death, Piper and Phoebe meet a sister they never knew about – Paige Matthews (Rose McGowan). When the girls were younger, their mother had an affair with her Whitelighter and later gave the baby to a nun for protection. Paige was adopted by “normal” parents and led a semi-normal life. That is until she was drawn to a stranger’s funeral – Prue’s funeral.
Paige’s Power? Tele-Orbing – Paige inherited the Whitelighter abilities (including orbing) and combined with her telekinesis (like big sis, Prue), she has the ability to call out for items and they will be drawn to her.
Charmed’s eight seasons weren’t enough for this television addict and supernatural lover. I cried my eyes out during the series finale. I still miss the sisters, their powers, the witchcraft, Leo, Cole, and even babies Wyatt and Chris (Piper and Leo’s sons) to this day.
When I noticed TNT airs episodes during the day, I immediately set the DVR so I could watch the greatness of Charmed again, in order – from start to finish. It will always be one of my favorite programs of all time, and therefore I must award the MacTV rating. Charmed is like that good ole bowl of mac-n-cheese; it’s not the best food in the pantry, but man is it delicious!
By the way, if I ever get a tattoo, it will be of the triquetra – the symbol on the Book of Shadows.
Did you watch Charmed? Which sister’s power do you wish you possessed? Do you prefer demon Cole or whitelighter Leo? Generally speaking, do you believe it witchcraft? I’d love to hear from you!
Now click over to Amber’s blog and find out which Law & Order she prefers while folding laundry and baking treats for her sweets all day long…and why.
Come back next week when Amber and I something just in time for the holidays.
Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss any of today’s reviews, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future.
A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:
GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
GMacTV (Gourmet MacNCheese TV): A combination of fine wine and comfort food
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
TBPTV (Twice Baked Potato TV): Part gourmet and delicious, while absolutely horrible for our cholesterol
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech
Tiffany A White's Ooo Factor 